Compact laser package with integrated temperature control

ABSTRACT

This disclosure concerns optical packages such as may be used in optical transceivers and transmitters. In one example, an optical package includes a header assembly having a base portion to which is attached a header structure that is split into first and second portions that are separated from each other by a space. The header structure further includes one or more electrical leads extending through the base portion and into one of the first and second portions of the header structure. An active temperature control device is included in the optical package and resides in the space between the first and second portions of the header structure. Finally, an optical element, such as a laser, is provided that is arranged for thermal communication with the active temperature control device so that operation of the optical element can be controlled by way of the active temperature control device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation, and claims the benefit, of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/101,260 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,868,104 entitled COMPACT LASER PACKAGE WITH INTEGRATED TEMPERATURE CONTROL, filed Mar. 18, 2002, which, in turn, claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/317,835 entitled COMPACT LASER PACKAGE WITH INTEGRATED TEMPERATURE CONTROL, and filed Sep. 6, 2001. All of the aforementioned patent applications are incorporated herein in their respective entireties by this reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to optical components, and more particularly, to a compact laser package having integrated temperature control.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that varying the temperature of a laser diode (which is a type of laser emitter) may affect the wavelength (λ) of the emitted optical signal. For some applications, the wavelength of the optical signal is not critical, and a heat sink is generally sufficient for cooling a laser diode for these applications. Optical signals with precise wavelengths are required for some applications such as Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM), however. For those applications, a laser diode must be maintained at a precise temperature, and a heat sink alone is not sufficient.

Some conventional laser diode packages contain a large built-in temperature controller to control the temperature of the laser diode. Some laser packages even contain an elaborate built-in coolant-circulation system for cooling the laser diode. Because of their large size, such conventional laser diode packages cannot be easily incorporated into pluggable fiber optic transceiver or transmitter modules, which typically have strict form factor requirements.

In addition, conventional laser diode packages containing large built-in temperature controllers consume a significant amount of power. Many industry standards for pluggable transceiver or transmitter module have strict limitations on power consumption. These limitations make it even more difficult to incorporate conventional laser packages with large temperature controllers into pluggable transceiver or transmitter modules.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an apparatus for precisely controlling the temperature of a laser diode without using a laser diode package that contains a large built-in temperature controller such that temperature control functionality can be implemented in an optoelectronic transceiver or transmitter modules.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention is a laser package that includes a housing, a window through the housing, a laser emitter disposed in the housing, and an active temperature control device disposed in the housing. In this embodiment, the laser emitter is affixed to the active temperature control device and aligned such that optical signals generated by the laser emitter can be emitted through the window without a waveguide. Additionally, the housing has an outline similar to that of a transistor-outline can. Thus, the compact laser package can be utilized in optoelectronic transceiver or transmitter modules that meet standardized form factor requirements.

In one embodiment, the housing of the laser package includes a header structure and a header can that is configured to mate with the header structure. In some embodiments, a hole in the header can may be used as the window. Alternatively, a piece of glass and/or a lens may be integrated with the header can to form the window.

In one embodiment, the active temperature control device includes thermoelectric elements (TEC) configured to regulate temperature of the laser emitter. Additionally, the active temperature control device may include a temperature measuring device operable to measure temperature of the laser emitter and a light intensity sensing device operable to measure the intensity of the optical signals emitted by the laser emitter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a header subassembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the header subassembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the header subassembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an active temperature control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a header can configured to be coupled to the header subassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a header subassembly according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an active temperature control device according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints and compliance with the requirements of various existing and yet to be determined form factors. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are respectively a perspective view, a side view and a top view of a header subassembly 100 that includes a header structure 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The header structure 102 is configured to mate with a header can 300, a perspective view of which is illustrated in FIG. 5. In the present embodiment, the header can 300 and the header structure 102 together form the housing of a laser package. The housing of the laser package has a window 304 and assumes a shape similar to that of a transistor outline (TO) package. Thus, the laser package according to the present invention can be fitted within optoelectronic transceiver or transmitter modules that are constructed according to standardized form factor requirements.

In furtherance of the present embodiment, the physical dimensions of the transceiver or transmitter module are as follows: width, 3 cm or less; length, 6.5 cm or less, and height, 1.2 cm or less. A GBIC standard (SFF-8053 GBIC standard version 5.5) requires the dimensions of a module housing to be approximately 3 cm×6.5 cm×1.2 cm. Thus, the transceiver or transmitter module of this embodiment meets the form factor requirements of the GBIC standard.

In another embodiment, the physical dimensions of the module housing are: width, 0.54 inches or less; length, 2.24 inches or less; and height, 0.34 inches or less. The SFP MSA (Small Form Factor Pluggable Multisource Agreement) requires the dimensions of a compliant module housing to be approximately 0.54″×2.24″×0.34″. Thus, the module housing of that embodiment meets the form factor requirements of the SFP standard. Note that the present invention is not limited to the form factor requirements described above. A person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that the present invention is adaptable to various existing or yet to be determined transceiver or transmitter module form factors, some of which can be smaller.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the header structure 102 is shaped to receive an active temperature control device 200. A laser emitter (e.g., a laser diode) 106 is mounted to the active temperature control device 200 via a laser submount 108. The laser submount 108 is preferably made of aluminum nitride or silicon, and the laser submount 108 may incorporate one or more integrated passive components, such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors, to provide improved impedance matching and signal conditioning. Significantly, the laser emitter 106 is positioned and aligned with the window 304 such that optical signals generated by the laser emitter 106 are aimed at and transmitted through the window 304. The optical signals are communicated to the exterior of the laser package without using waveguides (e.g., optical fibers). In the illustrated embodiment, the laser emitter 106 is positioned approximately at the center of the header subassembly and close to the window 304.

In one embodiment, the laser emitter 106 is an edge emitter. In alternative embodiments, a Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) or any other suitable source of optical signals may be used.

As is understood by one skilled in the art, an edge emitter laser emits optical signals in both the forward direction and the backward direction. Forward direction refers to the direction in which the optical signals have the strongest intensity, while backward direction refers to the opposite direction. The laser intensity in the backward direction is proportional to the laser intensity in the forward direction. Thus, it is useful to measure the intensity of the laser in the backward direction in order to track the laser intensity in the forward direction. Accordingly, a photo-diode 126 is positioned to sense the intensity of the optical signals emitted by the laser emitter 106 in the backward direction. The photo-diode 126 is mechanically attached to the active temperature control device 200 via a photo-diode submount 128. The temperature of the photo-diode 126 is regulated by the active temperature control device 200. Thus, temperature sensitive fluctuations in the light intensity measurements made by the photo-diode 126 can be substantially eliminated.

Also shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is a thermistor 122. The thermistor 122, which is operable to measure the temperature of the laser emitter 106, is preferably mounted to a top portion 112 of the active temperature control device 200, at a position that is close to the laser emitter 106. Temperature measurements from the thermistor 122 are communicated through bond wires 110 (FIG. 3) and leads 104 (FIGS. 1, 2) to an external control circuit (outside the housing), which in turn adjusts the control signals to the active temperature control device 200. Specifically, depending on the temperature of the laser emitter 106, the control circuit sends appropriate control signals to drive appropriate amount of electric currents through the active temperature control device 200 to control the direction and amount of heat flow. A control circuit that may be used in conjunction with the present invention is described in the aforementioned patent application entitled “Control Circuit for Optoelectronic Module with Integrated Temperature Control.”

Attention now turns to FIG. 4, which depicts a perspective view of the active temperature control device 200 according to the present embodiment. As depicted, the active temperature control device 200 includes a base 118, a top portion 112 with an approximately L-shaped cross-section, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements 114 disposed between the base 118 and the top portion 112. The base 118 has two bond pads 116 that are coupled electrically to the thermoelectric elements 114 and to two of the package leads 104 to allow external control signals and power to be provided to the thermoelectric elements 114. The top portion 112 has a surface 130 that is approximately perpendicular to the base 118 and two surfaces 132 and 133 that are approximately parallel to the base 118. According to one embodiment, the laser emitter 106 is mounted on the surface 130 via laser submount 108, the thermistor 122 is mounted on the surface 133, and the photo-diode 126 is mounted on surface 132 via photo-diode submount 128. The thermoelectric elements 114 are configured to transfer heat from the top portion 112 to the base 118, or vice versa, depending on the direction of electric currents (provided via bond pads 116) that are driven through these thermoelectric elements 114. In one particular embodiment, the top portion 112 and the base 118 are passive heat sinks made of a ceramic material that includes beryllium oxide (BeO). Furthermore, in one particular embodiment, the thermoelectric elements may be made of a material that includes Bismuth Telluride (Bi₂Te₃). In one embodiment, the leads 104 are made of a material called Kovar (a composition that includes iron, nickel, and cobalt, and small quantities (less than 1%) of manganese, silicon, aluminum, magnesium, zirconium, titanium and carbon). Kovar is a trademark of Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company.

With reference again to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the header structure 102 includes multiple leads 104 for connecting components inside the laser package 100 to the exterior of the laser package. Note that some of the leads 104 are longer than others such that short bond wires can be used. For instance, two relatively shorter leads are used to couple to the bond pads 116, which are located at the base 118. Two medium length leads are configured to couple to the photo-diode 126, which is mounted farther away from the base 118 than the bond pads 116. Four relatively longer leads are configured to coupled to the laser emitter 106 and the thermistor 122, which are located even farther away from the base 118 than the photo-diode 126.

In one embodiment, the header structure 102 may be made by metal injection molding (MIM). The material used for making the header structure 102 should be suitable for MIM, resistance welding of the header can, glass sealing of leads for hermiticity, and plating. In addition, high thermal conductivity is desired. While many materials meet the aforementioned requirements, cold-rolled steel is presently preferred. Other materials that may be used include an alloy know as “Alloy42” and Copper Tungsten (CuW).

Bond wires 110, which are not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention, are illustrated in FIG. 3. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, a pair of the bond wires 110 connect the laser emitter 106 and the laser submount 108 to two leads 104, another pair of the bond wires 110 connect the thermistor 122 to two of the leads 104, another pair of bond wires 110 connect the photo-diode 126 and the photo-diode submount 128 to two of the leads 104, while yet another pair of bond wires 110 connect the bond pads 116 to the leads 104. In other embodiments, bond wires 110 do not directly connect the laser emitter 106 to the leads 104. In those embodiments, bond wires 110 connect the laser submount 108 to the leads 104. One terminal of the laser emitter 106 is in direct contact with the laser submount 108, and another terminal of the laser emitter 106 is connected to the laser submount via another bond wire.

In present embodiments, the bond wires 110 are preferably made of gold with diameters of about 1/1000 of an inch. The lengths of the bond wires 110 are preferably as short as possible so that they can transmit optical signal data at a high rate. The impedance of the bond wires in present embodiments is matched to those of the leads 104 so as to avoid signal-reflections.

Attention now turns to FIG. 5, which depicts a perspective view of a header can 300 configured for coupling to the header subassembly 100 to form a laser package. In one embodiment, the header can 300 includes a body 301 preferably made of an alloy known as “Alloy 42”, which is an alloy of nickel and iron, or other suitable material. Preferably, the body 301 is plated with electrolysis nickel. The window 304 is situated approximately at the center of the body 301 to transmit optical signals emitted by the laser emitter 106. The window 304, in one embodiment, includes a piece of ultra flat, thin glass with a thickness of approximately 0.008 inches. The glass is preferably soldered to the body 301 to form a hermetic seal and is preferably coated with an anti-reflective coating. In other embodiments, the window 304 may include a piece of glass having a lens integrated therein to focus of the optical signals generated by the laser emitter 106. A window is different from a port, which transmits optical signals through a collimator such as an optical wave guide or an optical fiber; in contrast, no collimator is required to transmit optical signals through a window.

Attention now turns to the dimensions of the laser package. According to one embodiment, the diameter of the header can 300 is preferably smaller than 0.295 inches. The height of the header can 300 is preferably smaller than 0.225 inches. When the header can 300 is mated with the header subassembly 100, the resulting laser package may have a height of approximately 0.265 inches, excluding the leads 104. In one preferred embodiment, the housing 100 has the same size as a convention transistor outline housing and the header can 300 has the same size as the header can of a conventional transistor outline housing for a laser diode or photo-diode. A person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that the present invention is adaptable to various existing or yet to be determined laser package form factors, some of which can be smaller than the dimensions described above.

In comparison to conventional laser packages with built in temperature controllers, such as “Butterfly” packages, the laser package of the present embodiment is significantly smaller in size, and can be much more easily integrated into many optoelectronic transceiver modules constructed according to standardized form factor requirements. Additionally, the power consumption of the laser package of the present embodiment is lower than that of conventional laser packages with a large built-in heat sink. As such, the laser package of the present embodiment can be more easily integrated into optoelectronic transceiver modules that have power consumption restrictions.

FIG. 6 illustrates a laser package 400 in accordance with the another embodiment of the present invention. Laser package 400 has an active temperature control device 500, which is also shown in FIG. 7. In contrast to the active temperature control device 200 shown in FIG. 4, the active temperature control device 500 has a recessed ledge 506 in its top portion 502 for receiving the thermistor 504. Placing the thermistor 504 on the recessed ledge 506 enables the laser emitter 106, which is positioned on the surface 508, to be placed close to the window 304 when the header can 300 is mated with the header subassembly 400. In particular, because the thermistor 504 is not located between the active temperature control device 500 and the window 300 of the header can 300, the active temperature control device 500 can be sized so as to position the laser emitter 106 closer to the window 304 of the header can 300. Alternately, the header can 300 may be resized (i.e., made shorter) so as to position the window 304 closer to the active temperature control device 500. Placing the laser emitter 106 close to the window 304 provides greater flexibility in designing compact, efficient coupling optics between the laser emitter 106 and external optical fibers.

The present invention, a compact laser package with integrated temperature control, has thus been disclosed. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and explanation. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications may occur to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure without departing from the inventive concepts described herein. Accordingly, it is the claims, not merely the foregoing illustration, that are intended to define the exclusive rights of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In general, exemplary embodiments of the invention are concerned with optical packages that provide for integrated temperature control while conforming with optical transceiver and transmitter form factors and standards. In one example, an optical package includes a header assembly having a base portion to which is attached a header structure that is split into first and second portions that are separated from each other by a space. The header structure further includes one or more electrical leads extending through the base portion and into one of the first and second portions of the header structure. An active temperature control device is included in the optical package and resides in the space between the first and second portions of the header structure. Finally, an optical element, such as a laser, is provided that is arranged for thermal communication with the active temperature control device so that operation of the optical element can be controlled by way of the active temperature control device. 

1. An optical package, comprising: a header subassembly, including: a base portion; a header structure attached to the base portion, the header structure being split into first and second portions that are separated from each other by a space; and a plurality of electrical leads, two or more of which extend through the base portion and into one of the first and second portions of the header structure; an active temperature control device at least partially residing in the space between the first and second portions of the header structure and at least indirectly connected to at least one electrical lead; and an optical element in thermal communication with the active temperature control device and at least indirectly connected with at least one electrical lead.
 2. The optical package as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the header structure are substantially mirror images of each other.
 3. The optical package as recited in claim 1, wherein the active temperature control device comprises a thermoelectric cooler responsive to control signals generated by an external control circuit and receivable by way of at least one of the electrical leads.
 4. The optical package as recited in claim 1, wherein the optical element comprises an optical emitter.
 5. The optical package as recited in claim 1, wherein the optical element comprises a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).
 6. The optical package as recited in claim 1, wherein the optical element is mounted at least indirectly to the active temperature control device.
 7. The optical package as recited in claim 1, wherein the active temperature control device defines a plurality of component mounting surfaces.
 8. The optical package as recited in claim 1, wherein the active temperature control device comprises: a first passive heat sink; a second passive heat sink; and a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with the first and second passive heat sinks.
 9. The optical package as recited in claim 1, wherein the optical element comprises an optical emitter, and further comprising: a thermistor located proximate the optical emitter and mounted at least indirectly to the active temperature control device, the thermistor being at least indirectly connected with at least one electrical lead; and a photodiode arranged for optical communication with the optical emitter and mounted at least indirectly to the active temperature control device, the photodiode being at least indirectly connected with at least one electrical lead.
 10. The optical package as recited in claim 1, wherein the active temperature control device includes a plurality of bond pads, each of which is at least indirectly connected to a corresponding electrical lead extending through the base portion of the header structure.
 11. The optical package as recited in claim 1, further comprising a header can attached to the header subassembly and including a window arranged for optical communication with the optical element.
 12. The optical package as recited in claim 1, wherein the optical package is substantially compliant with the GBIC standard.
 13. An optical package, comprising: a header can having a window disposed at one end; a header subassembly attached to the header can, including: a base portion; a header structure attached to the base portion, the header structure being split into first and second portions that are separated from each other by a space; and a plurality of electrical leads, two or more of which extend through the base portion and into one of the first and second portions of the header structure; an active temperature control device at least partially residing in the space between the first and second portions of the header structure and at least indirectly connected to at least one electrical lead; and an optical element at least indirectly connected with at least one electrical lead, the optical element being arranged for optical communication with the window of the header can, and also arranged for thermal communication with the active temperature control device.
 14. The optical package as recited in claim 13, wherein the window of the header can includes an integrated lens.
 15. The optical package as recited in claim 13, wherein the first and second portions of the header structure are substantially mirror images of each other.
 16. The optical package as recited in claim 13, wherein the active temperature control device comprises a thermoelectric cooler responsive to control signals generated by an external control circuit and receivable by way of at least one of the electrical leads.
 17. The optical package as recited in claim 13, wherein the optical element comprises a laser.
 18. The optical package as recited in claim 13, wherein the optical element is mounted to the active temperature control device by way of a submount.
 19. The optical package as recited in claim 13, wherein the active temperature control device defines a plurality of component mounting surfaces.
 20. The optical package as recited in claim 13, wherein the optical element comprises an optical emitter, and further comprising: a thermistor located proximate the optical emitter and mounted at least indirectly to the active temperature control device, the thermistor being at least indirectly connected with at least one electrical lead; and a photodiode arranged for optical communication with the optical emitter and mounted to the active temperature control device by way of a submount, the photodiode being at least indirectly connected with at least one electrical lead.
 21. The optical package as recited in claim 13, wherein the active temperature control device includes a plurality of bond pads, each of which is at least indirectly connected to a corresponding electrical lead extending through the base portion of the header structure.
 22. The optical package as recited in claim 13, wherein the optical package is substantially compliant with the GBIC standard.
 23. An optoelectronic module, comprising: a module housing; and an optical package substantially disposed within the module housing and comprising: a header subassembly, including: a base portion; a header structure attached to the base portion, the header structure being split into first and second portions that are separated from each other by a space; and a plurality of electrical leads, at least two of which extend through the base portion and into one of the first and second portions of the header structure; an active temperature control device at least partially residing in the space between the first and second portions of the header structure and at least indirectly connected to at least one electrical lead; and an optical element in thermal communication with the active temperature control device and at least indirectly connected with at least one electrical lead.
 24. The optoelectronic module as recited in claim 23, wherein the optoelectronic module is substantially compliant with the dimensional and form factor requirements of the SFP MSA.
 25. The optoelectronic module as recited in claim 23, wherein the optical package is substantially compliant with the GBIC standard.
 26. The optoelectronic module as recited in claim 23, wherein the first and second portions of the header structure are substantially mirror images of each other.
 27. The optoelectronic module as recited in claim 23, wherein the optical element comprises an optical emitter.
 28. The optoelectronic module as recited in claim 23, wherein the optical element comprises a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).
 29. The optoelectronic module as recited in claim 23, wherein the optical element is mounted at least indirectly to the active temperature control device.
 30. The optoelectronic module as recited in claim 23, wherein the active temperature control device defines a plurality of component mounting surfaces.
 31. The optoelectronic module as recited in claim 23, wherein the active temperature control device comprises: a first passive heat sink; a second passive heat sink; and a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with the first and second passive heat sinks.
 32. The optoelectronic module as recited in claim 23, wherein the optical element comprises an optical emitter, and further comprising: a thermistor located proximate the optical emitter and mounted at least indirectly to the active temperature control device, the thermistor being at least indirectly connected with at least one electrical lead; and a photodiode arranged for optical communication with the optical emitter and mounted at least indirectly to the active temperature control device, the photodiode being at least indirectly connected with at least one electrical lead.
 33. The optoelectronic module as recited in claim 23, further comprising a header can attached to the header subassembly and including a window arranged for optical communication with the optical element.
 34. The optoelectronic module as recited in claim 23, further comprising a control circuit in operative communication with the active temperature control device.
 35. An optical package, comprising: a header can having a window disposed at one end; a header subassembly attached to the header can, including: a base portion; a header structure attached to the base portion, the header structure being split into first and second portions that are substantially mirror images of each other and that are separated from each other by a space; and a plurality of electrical leads, at least some of which extend through the base portion and into one of the first and second portions of the header structure; an active temperature control device at least partially residing in the space between the first and second portions of the header structure and at least indirectly connected to a pair of electrical leads, the active temperature control device defining a plurality of mounting surfaces; a laser mounted at least indirectly to a mounting surface of the active temperature control device and at least indirectly connected to a pair of electrical leads, the laser being arranged for optical communication with the window of the header can; a photodiode mounted at least indirectly to a mounting surface of the active temperature control device and at least indirectly connected to a pair of electrical leads, the photodiode being arranged for optical communication with the laser; and a thermistor mounted to a mounting surface of the active temperature control device and at least indirectly connected to a pair of electrical leads.
 36. The optical package as recited in claim 35, wherein the window of the header can includes an integrated lens.
 37. The optical package as recited in claim 35, wherein the active temperature control device comprises a thermoelectric cooler responsive to control signals generated by an external control circuit and receivable by way of the electrical leads connected at least indirectly to the thermoelectric cooler.
 38. The optical package as recited in claim 35, wherein the laser comprises a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).
 39. The optical package as recited in claim 35, wherein the optical package is substantially compliant with the GBIC standard.
 40. The optical package as recited in claim 35, wherein the laser, photodiode and thermistor each are mounted to different respective mounting surfaces of the active temperature control device. 